Enterprise Zones are among Illinoisâ most important tools to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization. The Enterprise Zone program depends upon a creative partnership between state and local government, businesses, labor and community groups to encourage economic growth in the areas designated as Enterprise Zones. Although the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) administer the program at the state level, its ultimate success depends on the level of commitment.

There are currently 91 Enterprise Zones in Illinois, the maximum number that may be designated according to Illinois law. All offer the same mix of state incentives designed to encourage companies to locate or expand within a zone. In addition, each zone offers distinctive local incentives to enhance business or neighborhood development efforts. Such local incentives include abatement of property taxes on new improvements, homesteading and shopsteading programs, waiver of business licensing and permit fees, streamlined building code and zoning requirements, and special local financing programs and resources.

State Incentives

Sales Tax Exemption ö A 6.25 percent state sales tax exemption is permitted on building materials to be used in an Enterprise Zone. Materials must be permanently affixed to the property and must be purchased locally.

Enterprise Zone Machinery and Equipment Consumables/Pollution Control Facilities Sales Tax Exemption ö A 6.25 percent state sales tax exemption on purchases of tangible personal property to be used in the manufacturing or assembly process or in the operation of a pollution control facility within an Enterprise Zone is available. Eligibility is based on a business making an investment on an Enterprise Zone of at least $5 million that creates a minimum of 200 full-time-equivalent jobs, a business investing at least $40 million in a zone and retaining at least 2,000 jobs, or a business investing at least $40 million in a zone which causes the retention of at least 90 percent of the jobs existing on the date it is certified to receive the exemption.

Enterprise Zone Utility Tax Exemption ö A state utility tax exemption on gas, electricity and the Illinois Commerce Commissionâs administrative charge is available to businesses located in Enterprise Zones. Eligible businesses must make an investment of at least $5 million that creates a minimum of 200 full-time-equivalent jobs in Illinois, or an investment of $20 million that retains at least 1,000 full-time-equivalent jobs in Illinois. The majority of the jobs created must be located in the Enterprise Zone where the investment occurs.

Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit ö A state investment tax credit of 0.5 percent is allowed to a taxpayer who invests in qualified property in a Zone. Qualified property includes machinery, equipment and buildings. The credit may be carried forward for up to five years. This credit is in addition to the regular 0.5 percent investment tax credit, which is available throughout the state, and up to 0.5 percent credit for increased employment over the previous year.

Dividend Income Deduction ö Individuals, corporations, trusts and estates are not taxed on dividend income from corporations doing substantially all their business in an Enterprise Zone.

Jobs Tax Credit ö The Enterprise Zone Jobs Tax Credit allows a business a $500 credit on Illinois income taxes for each job created in the Zone for which a certified eligible worker is hired. The credit may be carried forward for up to five years. A minimum of five workers must be hired to qualify for the credit. The credit is effective for people hired on or after January 1, 1986.

Interest Deduction ö Financial institutions are not taxed on the interest received on loans for development within an Enterprise Zone.

Contribution Deduction ö Businesses may deduct double the value of a cash or in-kind contribution to an approved project of a designated Zone organization from taxable income.

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